An ugly Christmas sweater party works best with three things: a clear dress code on the invite, a contest with a few fun categories, and simple food and games. Send invites two to three weeks ahead so guests have time to find a sweater, and pick a date around Ugly Christmas Sweater Day (Friday, December 18, 2026) or the weekend before.
Still deciding what to wear yourself? Our guide to the ugly Christmas sweater for women covers cute, funny and office-friendly picks.
Party timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks before | Pick the date, guest list and theme |
| 3 weeks before | Send invites with the sweater dress code |
| 2 weeks before | Plan food, drinks, games and prizes |
| 1 week before | Decorate, set up a photo corner, make a playlist |
| Party day | Run the contest about an hour in, once everyone has arrived |
Ugly sweater party themes
Planning a green and red theme? Our guide to Grinch sweatshirt outfits for a Grinchmas party has outfit, group color and party ideas.
- Classic tacky. The original. Bells, pom-poms, tinsel, the works.
- Pets in sweaters. Everyone wears a sweater with a cat, dog or other animal on it. Pet owners can bring a photo of their own pet. Our cat and dog Christmas sweater guide has ideas.
- Pun night. Only sweaters with a joke or a pun. Guests read theirs out loud.
- Retro ski lodge. Fair Isle knits, hot cocoa, wood and plaid decorations.
- Matching teams. Couples, roommates or departments coordinate their sweaters.
Games for an ugly Christmas sweater party
- The sweater contest. Guests vote with paper ballots or a quick phone poll. Use several categories so more people win: Ugliest Overall, Best Pun, Most Lights, Best Couple, Most Creative DIY.
- Sweater runway. Each guest gets 20 seconds on a “catwalk” with a song of their choice.
- Christmas movie quote game. Read a famous holiday movie line, first person to name the film gets a point.
- White elephant gift swap. Set a price limit and let people steal gifts.
- Decorate a plain sweater. Hand out cheap sweaters or sweatshirts, felt, glue and ornaments. Twenty minutes, then vote.
- Holiday trivia. Mix easy and hard questions so nobody checks out.
Shop this guide
Invite wording you can copy
Dust off your tackiest knit! You are invited to our Ugly Christmas Sweater Party on [date] at [time], [address]. Prizes for the ugliest, the punniest and the most lit-up sweater. RSVP to [name] by [date].
Bells will jingle. Sweaters will be judged. Join us for an ugly sweater night on [date]. Dress code: as festive and terrible as possible. No sweater, no entry (just kidding, but seriously, wear one).
Put the dress code near the top of the invite, and if you are sending it early, link guests to a place they can buy a sweater in time.
Prize ideas
Running a contest at the party? Share our guide on how to win an ugly Christmas sweater contest with your guests so everyone shows up ready to compete.
- A homemade trophy, like a spray-painted gold ornament on a block of wood
- Gift cards for coffee or takeout
- Holiday candy, cookies or a bottle of something festive
- Bragging rights, plus their photo on the fridge until next year
Food and drinks
Keep it easy so you can enjoy the party. A hot cocoa bar with marshmallows and peppermint sticks, a cookie platter, sliders or a big pot of chili all work well. For drinks, a batch cocktail or mulled cider saves you from playing bartender all night.
What should the host wear?
The host sets the tone, so go big. A sweater with a loud graphic or a funny line gets people laughing as they walk in. Browse our funny Christmas sweaters roundup or see how to choose a Christmas sweater for fit and sizing tips.
Hosting or attending? Find a sweater for every guest in our Christmas ugly sweater collection.
Make sure your sweaters arrive in time
Every BarkPure order ships to the US for a flat $6.39. Orders are processed in 1 to 3 business days and spend about 7 to 12 business days in transit, so plan on roughly 8 to 15 business days from checkout to doorstep. Holidays can add a little time. Full details are on our shipping policy page. For a party on December 18, order by about November 25.
Frequently asked questions
When should I have an ugly Christmas sweater party?
Most parties happen in the first three weeks of December. Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, the third Friday of December (December 18 in 2026), is a popular choice.
How far ahead should I send invites?
Two to three weeks ahead. Guests need time to find or order a sweater.
What are good categories for an ugly sweater contest?
Ugliest Overall, Best Pun, Most Lights, Best Couple or Group, and Most Creative DIY.
What if a guest does not have an ugly sweater?
Keep a few spare festive items at the door, like Santa hats, tinsel scarves or a plain sweater they can decorate during the party.
